Primus border negs

This paper envelope has been sat in a box at the studio for a while. I hadn’t paid much attention to it until yesterday whilst waiting for something to 3D print.

A set of “Primus” Post Card border negatives, assorted designs with masks probably from 1910-1930?

There’s an old example from someone trying them out. These are meant for printing out papers but no reason not to try them with developed out paper as well.

Sadly Ilford no longer make postcard papers but I had some postcard sized Ilford RC VC gloss paper.

Inside the envelope is a set of decorative masks for contact printing a border.

The lighter areas are semi transparent.

They co.e with some oval and rectangular border masks for use with your negative.

I had some old quarter plates of various quality from around the same date as the masks.

It’s a little fiddly getting the multiple masks to align but with some patience and planning I’m sure it’s possible

Here’s a couple of examples. Exposure the decorative border for a pre determined time, then swap out your negative and the border mask to prevent double exposure of the border areas.

Pretty simple and neat. Could be easily updated if needed.

Now where did I put my deckle edged cutter to just finish the look.